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Death toll from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria could double, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator says

Two Spartan military transport aircraft flew the Bulgarian rescuers home last night, another team was flown out to replace them
Photo: Defence Ministry press service

The current death toll from the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria could double from its current level, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths stated. The official death toll in the two countries currently stands 28,191. According to the UN, no less than 870,000 people are in need of warm food. 5.3 million people could be left without a roof over their heads in Syria alone. 32,000 staff from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and 8,294 rescuers from abroad are taking part in the rescue operations.

Two Spartan military transport aircraft flew the Bulgarian Red Cross mountain rescuers and Sofia municipality emergency rescuers home last night, alongside the trained dogs, after taking part in the rescue operations in different towns in Turkey. Another team was flown out from Sofia to replace them.

Unrest in southern Turkey has disrupted rescue efforts in some places following Monday's deadly earthquake, three rescue groups have said, the BBC reports. German rescuers and the Austrian army paused search operations on Saturday, citing clashes between unnamed groups.

Sofia municipality has set up 7 drop-off locations for donations for the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey, open 9 AM-6 PM, at some of the most popular marketplaces in Sofia. The chairman of the Sofia City Council Georgi Georgiev said in an interview with the BNR, that the items needed most are cold weather tents, blankets, generators, gas heaters and winter clothing. As of Monday, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria is also setting up donation spots at its offices throughout the country.



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